STS Impact Windows, Doors & Roofing is a veteran-owned company based in South Florida that specializes in premium hurricane protection solutions, including impact windows, doors, custom storefronts, and roofing. Combining over 25 years of industry experience with military precision, STS provides expert installation, full transparency, and outstanding customer service, backed by a leading 3-year installation warranty. Their comprehensive services ensure security and peace of mind for both residential and commercial clients, with a strong focus on quality, reliability, and efficiency.
View on Google MapsSTS Impact Windows and Doors specializes in hurricane protection solutions, offering high-quality impact windows, storm-resistant doors, custom storefronts, and professional roofing services. With expert installation, full transparency, and outstanding customer service, the company ensures homes and businesses stay secure and energy-efficient.
STS Impact Windows and Doors is located at 1000 Holland Dr Suite 10, Boca Raton, FL 33487, United States. The company proudly serves residential and commercial clients across Florida and throughout the United States, delivering reliable storm protection solutions. View their location on Google Maps.
Yes, STS Impact Windows and Doors is a veteran-owned company recognized for its dedication, integrity, and service to the community. This background adds an extra level of trust and reliability for homeowners and businesses seeking storm protection solutions.
STS Impact Windows and Doors provides a wide range of services including the installation of hurricane impact windows, impact doors, custom commercial storefronts, and roofing services. Each project is backed by expert craftsmanship, a 3-year installation warranty, and over 25 years of industry experience.
The company proudly serves both residential homeowners and commercial property owners. From protecting family homes to fortifying businesses with hurricane-rated storefronts, STS Impact Windows and Doors delivers customized solutions that ensure safety, durability, and efficiency.
Clients benefit from the company’s focus on quality, reliability, and efficiency. Their impact-resistant windows and doors not only enhance security and hurricane protection but also improve energy efficiency, reduce noise, and increase property value. With a 3-year installation warranty, customers can trust in long-term performance and peace of mind.
STS Impact Windows and Doors has been recognized with multiple industry honors, including the South Florida Veteran Owned Business Excellence Award, Best Hurricane Protection Provider 2023 Florida, and the Angi’s Super Service Award for Window Installation. These awards highlight their commitment to excellence, customer satisfaction, and industry leadership.
You can reach STS Impact Windows and Doors by phone at 561-600-1018 or visit their website at stswindows.com. They are open Monday through Friday from 8am to 5pm and are available on Facebook and Instagram for updates and project showcases.
Business Name: STS Impact Windows & Doors
Address: 1000 Holland Dr #10, Boca Raton, FL 33487, United States
Phone: (561)-600-1018
Hurricane season shapes life along Florida's coasts. You feel it in the method next-door neighbors track tropical waves, the pre-storm rush to stock up, and the routine of transporting ladders to mount panels. After twenty years specifying, installing, and troubleshooting building envelopes from Secret Largo to Palm Beach, I have actually seen what holds up and what doesn't. When the objective is genuine security with year-round comfort, Miami-Dade authorized, energy‑efficient impact windows outshine shutters in manner ins which go beyond storm day. They alter how a house feels in August, how quiet your living-room remains on a Saturday night, and how confident you are when a storm line low-e laminated glass spins up much faster than predicted.
This is a useful look at why numerous South Florida property owners are moving from shutters to typhoon impact-resistant windows, how to check out the standards behind "Miami-Dade authorized," what materials matter, and how to get the setup right the first time.
Miami-Dade County's Product Control Division sets among the toughest criteria in the nation for building components exposed to windborne debris. Approval is not a marketing sticker. It is made through particular laboratory tests that imitate genuine cyclone conditions.
First comes big rocket effect. A 9-pound 2x4 is shot at the glass at roughly 34 miles per hour. That mimics roofing tiles, branches, or pieces of fencing that fly in the eyewall. After the effect, the very same system faces cyclic pressure loading, thousands of pressurization and depressurization cycles that mimic rapid wind gusts over hours. If the glass stays in the frame without letting the envelope breach, it passes. The distinction between "satisfies Florida building regulations windows" and "Miami-Dade authorized windows" typically resides in these test limits. Miami-Dade is merely stiffer, particularly in High Velocity Cyclone Zone requirements, that include Miami-Dade and Broward.
Wind rankings vary by opening size and design pressures, denoted as PSF worths. On ocean-facing residential or commercial properties or high-rises, I frequently specify systems ranked at +60/ -80 PSF or higher. Inland or in more secured direct exposures, rankings in the +45/ -60 PSF range can be adequate, but you size and specification based upon the website's wind map, developing height, and surrounding structures. A professional knows that a corner exposure at the second story demands various reinforcement than a sheltered window under a deep porch.
Hurricane shutters vs impact windows is not a one-to-one comparison. Shutters can satisfy code, and they're better than absolutely nothing. But they ask you to do operate at the worst possible time. When a watch turns to a warning and the projection track tightens, the last thing you want is a ladder, a dead cordless drill, and a missing wing nut.
Impact windows live in location. You get continuous security, even if a pop-up storm surprises you while you're stuck on US 1. You likewise get advantages every day of the year.
Noise control is the most underappreciated advantage. Laminated impact glass is essentially a sandwich: 2 panes of glass bonded by a resilient interlayer, normally PVB interlayer glass or SentryGlas. That interlayer damps sound. On tasks along hectic passages like Biscayne Boulevard or near flight courses, I've measured interior sound drops in the 5 to 10 decibel range, sometimes more when paired with insulated glass units.
Security enhances because laminated glass resists forced entry. An intruder can shatter the outer lite with a hammer, but the interlayer holds the fragments. They satisfy a sticky, stubborn membrane instead of a quick course inside. Insurance coverage underwriters know this, which is why policies often provide credits for effect windows and doors. In my projects, premiums usually drop 10 to 25 percent, depending upon the carrier and the number of openings are protected.
Energy performance is the 3rd pillar. Energy-efficient impact windows with modern low-E effect glass and warm-edge spacers can cut solar heat gain while preserving noticeable light. That implies less cooling demand, especially on west and south exposures where the afternoon sun punishes interiors. In one Coral Gables retrofit, we replaced 1980s single-pane sliders with laminated low-E effect systems. Summertime afternoon peak load visited approximately a ton of cooling, and the home's annual electrical energy usage fell between 12 and 18 percent. Results vary with shading, attic insulation, and a/c effectiveness, but the instructions is consistent.
Laminated impact glass is the heart of the system, but not all laminated items are equal.
Most property typhoon windows utilize a PVB interlayer glass stack, frequently 0.030 to 0.090 inches thick in single or numerous plies. Thicker interlayers improve impact resistance and sound control, however they include weight and expense. For oceanfront or tall openings, you might see SGP (ionoplast) interlayers, which are stiffer and more powerful than PVB, permitting thinner sections to attain greater design pressures. For noise-sensitive websites, acoustic PVB solutions tweak the polymer to much better take in sound in the 1,000 to 3,000 Hz range, where traffic and voices sit.
Tempered glass windows show up frequently in conversations due to the fact that tempered glass is more powerful in flexing than annealed glass. That's true, and tempered lites are commonly utilized as the outer or inner ply in an impact system. But tempered alone is not impact-resistant in the hurricane sense. When it stops working, it takes off into small cubes and falls out of the frame, which leaves the opening vulnerable. The effect performance comes from laminated construction, not tempering by itself. Numerous systems use a tempered outer lite laminated to a hardened inner lite, or both tempered, however always bonded through a PVB or ionoplast interlayer.
Low-E coatings matter for convenience. A soft-coat low-E tuned for South Florida usually targets a solar heat gain coefficient in the 0.25 to 0.35 variety while keeping visible light transmission around half or higher. Go tempered glass thickness too low on SHGC and the glass can look gray or green, especially in larger openings. The sweet spot depends upon your façade orientation and shading. On east and west elevations, I typically tighten up SHGC and accept a slight tint to manage early morning and afternoon blasts. On north elevations, I lean toward greater noticeable transmittance for daylighting.
Frames are the other half of the story. Aluminum frames dominate here due to the fact that they handle big openings and will not swell. Thermal breaks and improved glazing gaskets have actually narrowed the energy space with vinyl. Top quality vinyl effect frames, when enhanced correctly, can carry out well for standard-sized openings and have better insulating worths, but I avoid them for really broad sliders or high storefront-style windows in high-wind zones. Wood-clad units look gorgeous in older Mediterranean Revival homes, however they demand mindful maintenance and clever flashing. The Florida sun damages cheap vinyl and chalks low-grade aluminum finishes quickly. Try to find powder-coated finishes ranked for coastal exposure, and demand written service warranty details in salt-air environments.
Window setup can make or break performance. A pricey unit installed like a handyman swap-out will not pass a storm's tension test. The load path is the essence. Effect forces need to travel from the glass through the frame, to the anchors, into the substrate, and then into the structure's framing or masonry.
In concrete block construction, you want stainless or hot-dipped galvanized anchors embedded into solid material. Hollow cells must be grouted or you require to strike the bond beam. Tapcons in soft, unfilled block are a failure waiting to happen. In wood-framed homes, structural screws need to bite into strong trimmers, not just sheathing. Shimming and plumb positioning matter so the locks engage easily and the weatherstripping compresses evenly.
The sealant joint is not simply visual. A properly sized backer rod and premium polyurethane or silyl-modified polymer sealant create a durable, flexible seal that manages thermal growth. Too little a bead and it tears under movement. Too big and it cures poorly. On coastal tasks, I never pair dissimilar metals without a barrier, and I constantly specify corrosion-resistant fasteners. 10 years later on, you will see who took shortcuts.
Flashing is the other non-negotiable. Pan flashing at sills, self-adhered membranes at jambs and heads, and integration with the water-resistive barrier are essential. If you rely on sealant alone, water will discover its way in. That wetness might not show up as a drip. It might rot a sill plate slowly, then betray itself as a buckling flooring or a moldy odor 2 cyclone seasons later.
I have absolutely nothing versus well-designed shutters. Accordion shutters that are kept and lubed, roll-down shutters with battery backups, and even removable panels kept thoroughly can safeguard homes successfully. They likewise assist in particular cases.
Second homes or seasonal leasings where budget is tight often lean on shutters to meet the Florida building code windows requirement for protected openings. On specialized openings like a lanai that is hardly ever utilized in summer season, a tidy motorized roll-down can be sensible, particularly if pairing with effect doors and windows somewhere else worries the spending plan. For property owners who prepare to move within a year, shutters can be a short bridge to compliance before a sale.
But shutters bring trade-offs. They darken the house when released, and they need action at specifically the time you are juggling insurance coverage papers, gas cans, and family logistics. During Cyclone Irma, I watched a next-door neighbor attempt to install steel panels hours before landfall. The ladder sank in saturated soil, a panel slipped, and we invested the next hour in the urgent care waiting room. He endured with stitches. His living-room window did not. Shutters also rattle and can vibrate under sustained winds, often loosening fasteners over time if not maintained.
For long-lasting owners who wish to set it and forget it, noise reduction windows impact windows offer cyclone proof windows protection while maintaining daylight and view. The convenience grows important once you've experienced one storm season with zero prep beyond locking the sash.
South Florida homes fight 2 battles: hidden load from humidity and practical load from direct solar heat gain. Impact glass upgrades can assist both if specified intelligently.
Low-E impact glass uses microscopically thin metallic layers to reflect infrared energy while letting noticeable light through. With the right finish stacks, you can obstruct a big portion of radiant heat and UV. UV clog in laminated systems comes mainly from the interlayer itself, which normally filters 95 to 99 percent of UV, minimizing fading of materials and floor covering. Include the low-E, and you curb the solar heat that drives your AC crazy midafternoon.
I assess glass specifications with 3 numbers: U-factor, SHGC, and VT. While U-factor matters more up north, it still helps here by reducing nighttime heat flow and keeping the interior glass temperature level closer to space temperature, which minimizes condensation threat. SHGC drives just how much solar heat gets in. VT affects how intense the interior feels. Balance is key. Some property owners desire the crisp, clear appearance of higher VT, even if it suggests accepting a few degrees more heat in late afternoon, due to the fact that their landscaping and roofing overhangs already do some shading. Others prefer a more powerful tint for glare control on waterfront lots that show severe light.
In practical terms, going from clear single-pane sliders to contemporary low-E laminated double-glazed systems can decrease peak solar gains by 30 to half on the most exposed sides. Couple that with tuned overhangs, light-colored outside surfaces, and an appropriately sized variable-speed HVAC, and you start to construct resilience. If the grid goes down and you change to a generator, a lower cooling load implies a smaller sized generator and less gallons of fuel.
Miami-Dade Notification of Acceptance, or NOA, is the document you request. It details the authorized configurations, sizes, anchors, and pressures tested. It is not enough to hear "these are Miami-Dade approved windows" in a showroom. Confirm the NOA matches the specific model and options you are purchasing, including the glazing makeup and hardware. If you are in Broward or Miami-Dade, your allowing office will desire this paper trail.
Statewide, the Florida Product Approval system supplies FL numbers that reveal code compliance. In the remainder of the state outside the High Velocity Cyclone Zone, Florida building code windows can count on Florida Item Approval without Miami-Dade particular NOAs. Lots of leading manufacturers carry both. Where budgets allow, I prefer NOA items even outside the zone because the testing is stiffer.
NFRC labels manage energy metrics. They will not inform you effect efficiency, however they reveal U-factor, SHGC, VT, and air leak. Go for air leak at or below 0.3 cfm/ft TWO. Tighter is much better for humidity control, but make certain your home still has balanced ventilation. Sealing the envelope and ignoring fresh air is a dish for indoor air quality complaints.
Impact windows cost more upfront than shutters. There's no spin around that. Set up costs vary with size, shape, surface, and access. On uncomplicated single-family homes, per-opening costs often land between 1,200 and 3,000 dollars for basic sizes. Big multi-panel sliders, custom arches, and coastal-grade surfaces raise the numbers quickly.
Where you recoup worth:
If you plan to own the property for 5 years or more, the math frequently tilts in favor of effect windows, especially when you factor the intangible of comfort. If you plan to offer within a year and require to reveal compliance quickly, shutters may make more short-term sense. Context matters.
I take note of hardware and devices. Multi-point locks on sashes and awnings enhance seal compression and security. For sliders, robust tandem rollers in stainless housings slide smoother and last longer on sandy patio areas. Look at the sill style on sliding doors. Weep systems must be engineered to drain pipes heavy rains without letting wind-driven water blow back in. Ask to see a cutaway sample in the showroom.
Tint colors and reflectivity are more than fashion. Reflective films can run afoul of neighborhood watch or produce mirror-like glare towards surrounding properties. In coastal environments, extremely reflective glass can confuse birds or sea turtles in some jurisdictions. Local pros understand which finishes balance performance with compliance.
Color stability is a huge offer. Dark bronze or black frames look great on modern-day homes, but in Florida sun inexpensive finishes chalk and fade. AAMA 2605-rated coatings provide the best color retention and chalk resistance. I define them for coastal direct exposures whenever budget plans allow.
Historic districts frequently require profiles that imitate old wood sash sightlines. There are impact-rated windows that fit these requirements, however lead times extend and costs climb. Expect extra review by architectural boards, and line up a professional familiar with these submissions.
Condos have another layer of governance. Associations sometimes define a narrow list of authorized products for harmony. They likewise appreciate sound control in between systems. If your building sits straight on Collins Opportunity or deals with a busy beach boardwalk, push for acoustic laminated alternatives. Deal with structure management on staging and lift gain access to. Weekend work windows and limited parking can add days and dollars.
Large openings, like a 16-foot-wide slider, need unique attention in design pressure, deflection, and running hardware. Not every unit that looks durable in a display room satisfies the wind loads on a ninth-floor balcony. Do not rely on brochure maximum sizes. Utilize the NOA tables that correspond to your website's zone, favorable and unfavorable pressures, and mullion mixes if any.
The finest tasks start with a measured survey and direct exposure analysis. You map each opening, keep in mind the substrate, and identify any framing irregularities or settlement fractures. During proposal, the contractor shows you the NOA and the Florida Product Approval, notes anchor types, and discusses how each opening will be flashed and sealed. They plan for stucco or drywall repairs, not pretend no damage will occur.
On set up day, they get rid of one opening at a time to keep your house safe and secure. They protect floors, pull back window treatments, and cap sprinklers. Old frames come out with care to preserve interior surfaces. New systems get dry-fit, shimmed, and anchored per the schedule. The crew checks squareness and diagonals before setting sealant. They picture anchors for the license file, especially if they will be concealed. After glazing, they water-test with a controlled spray to confirm drain paths and seals. The inspector sees a neat jobsite, clear labels, and paperwork in order.
Six months later on, your windows still close with 2 fingers, locks bite smoothly, and there is no secret rattle during thunderstorms. You did not have to require a roller modification after the first week. That is the standard.
Impact ranking does not equal breakproof. Laminated glass can split under serious effects, but it must stay in the frame and hold together. After a storm that sends out debris into the glass, you may see star cracks or spidering. The window did its task. Change the sash or IGU after the event.
Window films do not convert non-impact windows into hurricane impact-resistant windows. They can include shatter resistance, however they do not replacement for a checked, anchored system. Your insurer and building department will not count movies as protected openings.
Interior humidity matters. Tight, energy-efficient effect windows minimize air leak. That's great, however it increases the significance of a properly sized a/c with great dehumidification. If your system is large, the thermostat satisfies quickly and stops working to pull enough moisture from the air. Ask your heating and cooling pro to examine practical heat ratio, airflow, and run time. You desire steady, longer cycles, not brief bursts.
Maintenance is simple however not optional. Tidy weep holes on sliders, wash salt spray from frames, and lubricate hardware yearly with a silicone-based product that will not gum up in heat. Small habits extend lifespan.
There are legitimate factors to mix solutions. A set of seldom utilized garage windows can keep removable panels to shave spending plan. A deep-set deck with minimal sun exposure may do great with accordion shutters if you focus on other upgrades like a new roofing system deck attachment or a prepared garage door. Shutters can likewise protect outdoor kitchen areas or cabana openings where grease and smoke would age expensive hardware prematurely.
If you pick shutters, buy quality. Stainless fasteners, smooth tracks, and motors with handbook bypasses for roll-downs make a difference. Assign responsibility for deployment and practice as soon as beyond a storm watch. Inventory your hardware. The day you require 32 wing nuts is not the morning you wish to discover you have 29.
Impact windows are not only about making it through the huge one. They improve daily living. The living-room remains cooler and quieter. The a/c cycles calmly rather of racing at 4 p.m. You sleep without freight trains of wind noise when a squall line passes at 2 a.m. When a cyclone threatens, your preparation list gets much shorter. You lock the sashes, set storm mode on the alarm, and focus on individuals rather than panels.
For a lot of my customers, that intangible is the deciding factor. They understand storms will come. They also know life in South Florida is too good to live inside a fortress that just awakens in August. Miami-Dade approved windows offer you both: a clear view of Biscayne Bay on a breezy February morning and quiet self-confidence when the spaghetti models point our method September.
If you are weighing the option, begin with a site-specific assessment. Match your exposures to create pressures, choose the right laminated glass stack for wind and heat, select frames that fit the architecture and conditions, and employ a team that appreciates the load course. Done right, energy‑efficient impact windows provide what shutters can not: protection that never requests for a ladder and a better home every day of the year.